Oh, friends! You came to the right place today! We’re kicking off the year with our annual behind-the-scenes post, which is a personal favorite (and one of ourΒ most popular blog days of the entire year!) We really can’t thing of a better way to celebrate the start of 2016!
Even inΒ the hustle, bustle, and nonstopΒ busyness of wedding days and engagement shoots, we always end up managing to grab a few behind-the-scenes shots here and there. Sometimes they’re intentional. Most of the time, they’re test shots. And there are those times when,Β you know, we just get in each other’s way. The thing we love about these photos, though, is that theyΒ help tell the unseen story behind every love story. Our life as wedding photographers: the good, the bad, and the ugly funny. And, in some cases, all three. Because sometimes photos are so bad… they’re good. If you’re looking for the pretty wedding photos, you’ll have to see those here. Because these photos are NOT THAT.
So, without further ado, here’s our year in review. And, for the record, that last sentence rhymed. And we feel pretty proud of that. Okay, let’s dive in!
Being luxury wedding photographers is really glamorous…
Until… IT’S NOT.
Let’s start with Amy Demos. The most graceful, composedΒ half of Amy and Jordan.
HowΒ much do bridal parties love Amy?Β Thiiiiiiiiiiiiis much!
Probably because she teaches them everything they could ever want toΒ knowΒ about hitch-hiking.
And uses her Spidey-skills to trap and corralΒ family members with invisible webs.
Maybe it’s because she knows how to stand like man. No. Like a BOSS.
Or maybe it’s because she keeps groups of people hypnotized with finger puppets.
Perhaps it’s her bouquet-holding lessons…
Or her perfect cake-cutting form…
But it’s probably because her hair always stays perfectly in place and she is always setting the latest fashion trends. Like the time she realized her skirt was on backwards. AT THE RECEPTION.
Speaking of Amy’s signature looks, who knew lens hoods could be so fashionable? Jordan is always on the lookout for aΒ “tribal arm band” spotting.
It’s also no secret that Amy is a little “vertically challenged.” But 2015 was the year that we finally said goodbye to our beloved barn stool.
And upgraded to our sleek, new, shiny stool of the future! Three cheers for the only stool on the planet to have his own name. And hashtag. Oh, you know you love #juliothestoolio.
When Julio (the Stool-io) isn’t nearby, don’t be surprised to find AmyΒ finding other ways to get taller.
So ladylike. Just call her Lady Mary.
The epitome of femininity and grace.
Jordan, on the other hand, has some unique skills of his own.
His resume includes world-class dress-hanging…
Train-fluffing…
And brisk jogs.
If you lose Jordan, you’ll likely find him in a bush. Or a tree. Or on the ground. He’s the layering king. And pretty committed to that role.
That’s, of course, when he isn’t “bonding” with videographers.
Or helping Amy achieve the perfect shot. The ones that belong on our couple’s mantles. This is what giving them a legacy of love is all about.
But, seriously, we reallyΒ are committed to getting the perfect shots every weekend.
Even when we’re the ones IN the photos. Like the time we got our new website photos taken in DC… during tourist season. And no, the man in the orange hat is NOT Annamarie Akins!
In the bride’s getting ready rooms, Amy loves hanging with all the girls in their cute matching robes.
“But wait, guys, where’s MY matching robe?”
“Oh! Here it is!”
Once everyone’s dressed, we get ready for the first look. It’s the big can’t-miss-moment.Β Luckily, Jordan has a built-in-test-shot-bride to make sure everything will be perfect.
Once everything is set, Amy gets our brides ready, and you can just FEEL the excitement as they start to approach their groom. One of the sweetest parts of the day.
And that’s when our grooms really start to feelΒ the nerves, but they can always count on Jordan for clear instructions and, more importantly, for support.
Jordan’s always the first one to be there for our AJ Brides too.
You’ve probably noticed he’s quite the pack mule. He’s pretty skilled at holding EVERYTHING.
But that’s the thing. We’re more than just photographers. We’re part of the family.
You just never know when you’re going to need a spotter when the dress has to be sown up.
Or when you’re going to need a vacuum outdoors.
We’re also committed to raising up the next generation of photographers.
Of any age.
And jump in for all-in demonstrations when necessary.
We really have so muchΒ fun with everyone around us one wedding days, and are so thankful for couples whoΒ have the best senses of humor and love to laugh.
But when it comes to wedding ceremony, we mean business.
At the end of the day, we love what we do.
We truly have the best brides.
BecauseΒ they are the ones who put a #demossandwich on their official family shot list.
And they’re up for any kind of adventure.
They’re the ones whoΒ pull us onto the dance floor to celebrate.
And the ones that make all the hard work worth it. Because nothing beats this feeling.
We feel blessed beyond measure.
Here’s to another amazing year! Cheers 2016!!
Looking for the PRETTY photos?! You can see those here!
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"I always look forward to your emails! I get excited every time I get an email notification that says 'Amy & Jordan!' Even though we've never formally met, you guys have pretty much become the photography mentor I've never had!"
"I LOVEEE the Monday Minute and I look forward to it every week!"
"The Monday Minute has seriously changed the way I look at my business! In the last year, my business has completely changed and evolved and I know that it's greatly due to my time 'spent' with the two of you!"
"Best year of my life! (Photography-wise!)"
January 4th, 2016 at 8:40 am
You guys are too adorable! Love these!!
January 11th, 2016 at 11:27 am
Thank you so much, Misty!! <3
January 4th, 2016 at 10:13 am
Oh my GOSH!! I love this! You two are the best!! π
January 11th, 2016 at 11:26 am
JILL! YOU are the best!! We miss your face.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:24 am
ahhhhh its all too perfect. sooo cute guys!!
January 11th, 2016 at 11:26 am
Haha you are too sweet! Thanks so much Nicole!!
January 4th, 2016 at 11:30 am
By far my FAVORITE blog post!!!! I love you guys!!! I still cannot thank you enough for being so amazing! Looking at these pictures make me so happy! It makes me remember EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT from my wedding day! All of my friends and family kept saying how much they loved you guys and how you made them each feel so special. You helped the guest have so much fun! You both make your job look so easy but I know it’s a lot of hard work, especially when you are exhausted to the core (it never shows). I love ALLLLLLLL of the pictures from my wedding and from other weddings!
These pictures show how much you love your job and the bride and grooms!
Thank you for everything you do!!!!
January 11th, 2016 at 11:26 am
Aw, Vanessa! We just ADORE you and Matthew and are so honored to have been a part of your day! We love looking back on all these memories together!! HUGE HUGS to you both!! XOXO!!
January 4th, 2016 at 11:56 am
Ah! Love this so much! I can’t wait to have you as my wedding photographers! Only 334 more days… not that I’m counting. Miss you, friends!
January 11th, 2016 at 11:25 am
Oh Anne!! We are SO excited!! We can’t even wait!! XOXO!!
January 4th, 2016 at 2:09 pm
I love this. You two are adorable and the best.
January 11th, 2016 at 11:25 am
Aw, thanks so much Mai! π
January 4th, 2016 at 8:18 pm
So cute you two!!! Amy, between you and Caroline Logan… I am inspire me to wear dresses to weddings!!! This type of post is on my list for next year π xoxo See you soon!
January 11th, 2016 at 11:25 am
Haha yay! Especially in Arizona! It’s the coolest way to shoot a hot wedding day π And you know how we feel about Caroline Logan!!
January 4th, 2016 at 8:44 pm
I love the way this post so perfectly captures you guys and what you offer your brides! You two are truly talented!
January 11th, 2016 at 11:24 am
Thanks so much, Niki!! This is definitely one of our personal favorite posts π
January 5th, 2016 at 9:14 am
Your smiles are contagious! I love this and following you both all year!
January 11th, 2016 at 11:22 am
Aw, thanks Megan!! Thanks for being a part of our year!! π